Independence House Opens New Cape Cod Domestic Violence Shelter

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HYANNIS – Independence House officially opened its new domestic violence shelter today on Cape Cod.

The agency was awarded a 10-year contract from the state’s Department of Public Health earlier this year to open the facility.

The only domestic violence shelter on the Cape was previously run by the Cape Cod Center for Women, which lost their state contract this past spring.

Independence House has expanded its programming to provide the 24/7 residential services at an undisclosed location for residents in need locally and beyond.

“It will also include individuals from across the state just to provide a resource, a service, for survivors of domestic violence in need who need an emergency residence while they figure out their next step,” Executive Director Lysetta Hurge-Putnam previously said.

“It was a competitive bid across Massachusetts,” Putnam said. “For us this was the right time to add this to our services to serve our community and the state,” she said.

The residential program will be 24 hours a day all year round and will be staffed at all times, according to Hurge-Putnam.

Individuals in need of service can contact Independence House through its 24 hour hotline (800-439-6507) and the state-wide domestic violence hotline (800-799-7233).

“It’s the same idea. Nothing’s changed in terms of how we would work with domestic violence victims on how they would make referrals,” Hurge-Putnam said.

“So any of our referral sources, for example whether it be police or the DA’s office or anyone in the community, it is still the same number.”

Independence House said several community leaders corporate sponsorships to help support the shelter. They include: